involuntary movements

My 2 year old son has involuntary movements when he sees something he likes, he gets excited by movement-  eg automatic doors , machinery wheels and is very upset when taken away from these things. his arms, shoulders , legs and feet also his facial expression changes. We have not made a big thing of this thinking he will grow out of it but he seems to be doing this more often..you can tell he is not in control of these movements..All other development seems to be normal, he can read numbers some letters and navigate around cbeebies website at ease ( cbeebies is a kids channel in uk ran by BBC) I have a telephone consultation with a doctor tomorrow..just seems difficult to explain and I know my son will get upset if we visit doctors as I wont get him past the door.. has anyone heard of other kids with these movements?

[Chetters]

Not sure if you ever got an answer, hopefully you've already figured it out.  I've just gone through the same thing with my son and was so relieved to find an answer after many months of different doctors.   From what you've described your son has a classic case of stereotypic movement disroder.   It can be very confusing when children with no delays whatsoever engage in stereotypic movements, such as hand flapping, finger flicking and facial grimacing (often in reaction to excitement or movement), and most doctors, including neurologists are unaware of it.  Dr. Singer from Johns Hopkins, and Dr. Roger Freeman of Victoria, BC have been studying stereotypic movements in normal children.  Google them to read their studies.  Email me if you want more info or to chat.  ***@****.

[judepants]

Hi thanks you for posting a reply.

My son has been to various specialists since me posting this question. I asked for a Neurologist who specialises in movement disorders and after 6months of meetings with her she said the same as you 'Steriotypic movements'.

Then out the blue,  a new  ladt paed at our childrens clinic asked for us to bring Jude down to see her. she is of the opinion he as Asbergers due to the stims and his behaviour like being transfixed with doors movement etc also that he wouldn't talk to her when we were there.

He has been attending speech and language therapy which he is not getting much out of as doesn't like to speak in large groups. also has been monitored at his nursery where they are advising he plays along side other children not initiating play.

We have had many dicussions.. whether to leave him be as we see a totally different boy at home and play but have allowed him to be refferred to an Autism/asbergers diagnostic clinic so we can get a conclusion for him before he goes to mainsteam school next year.

How did your son progress through seeing various specialists? did you have varried opinions throughout?

I will certainly google the 2 Dr's and read more.  xx

[tina8425]

Hi last night I have noticed my son's invouluntary movements --i have seen him do brief ones before but took not much notice and just thought he was being "restless", but last night seemed quite obvious, he woke up middle of the night and i got him to sit with me, he seems sometimes transfixed, gazed at the computer monitor and started moving his arms, a bit of legs, and some facial expression.  He is very active, like any normal 2 year old, he is quite good with his balance and everything, being the 3rd child he is always doing the stuff his older siblings are doing, he always trying to keep up with them.  He understands everything he is told, he follows instructions well, except when he is not getting what he wants he does tantrum. He just actually started talking now, putting a word or two together, but in comparison to his older siblings he seems a bit behind in speech.  He is a happy little boy, loves to play and is very active.  I am starting to worry, I cried last night when it actually dawned on me he was making the involuntary movements, he seems sensitive to light too, squints and covers his eyes when we turn lights on/ or if the sun is on him.  It also seems to take him some time to find a comfotable position at bed time, he flips and flops around, moving his pillows here and there before falling asleep. I've seen him do the the involuntary movements when he is sort of half asleep or about to sleep.